Page 28 of Wizard's Spitfire

Messing with me is one thing, but he continually drags the girls into things and lets them down. Ever since the girls told me he introduced them to his girlfriends, I’ve wanted to punch him in the throat.

I mean, who does that? Who puts their kids in that kind of position? I hear the roar of sleds close by as I near my destination. When I turn onto the block, I spot half dozen bikes, an SUV, and a wrecker. The girls are huddled around Wizard. And he’s surrounded by more big, badass, heavily tattooed bikers.

I put the car in park, leave it running, and rush to my daughters. Luciana spots me first and squeals my name. Soon they’re all in my arms with Wizard’s arms wrapped around all of us. I hear more sleds close in on us. When he doesn’t tense, I relax into his hold and put my arms around my daughters.

“Why don’t we get you in the SUV and back to the clubhouse? It's closer than your place,” Wizard suggests. “I’ll drive and get prospects to drive your car and my sled.”

I nod my head and let him lead us to the shiny black SUV parked next to the wrecker.

Chapter 16

Charlie

Wizard threads his fingers through mine. His thumb rubbing calming circles on the back of my hand while he drives us to the compound. The girls are surprisingly silent. We agreed to wait until we were at the compound to talk about it.

Which is good. I need time to calm down. Not only from my murderous rage, but also the utter and complete fear I felt when I realized what neighborhood the girls broke down in. The ride doesn’t take long. Whoever is manning the gate opens it for us and Wizard pulls the SUV to the front of the building. He opens the left passenger door before coming around and opening both doors to let everyone out. After he closes the door behind me, he takes my hand. I assume one of the prospects will take care of the vehicle.

He leads us through the main foyer and down a hall to a large room with a massive wooden meeting table. The table has the club’s colors engraved in the center. Large leather office chairs surrounded the table.

“Take a seat, ladies.”

He waits until we all sit down. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Do you have Nehi?” Valentina asks.

“I’m sure we do. Stormy keeps a wide variety of coke and other beverages. Luci, Franni, Charlie, what can I get you?”

“Nehi for us,” Lucia replies.

“Macallan neat if you have it,” Charlie says.

Less than five minutes later, the girls have grape Nehi, and I have a double Macallan. Gambit, and the other Kings, have filed in one by one.

“Mamma, why is everyone here?” Francesca asks.

“Because we all care about you and what happens to you,” Gambit says. “I think you gave Wizard his first gray hairs tonight.”

Wizard nods in agreement. The girls crack a small smile. I’ll take it. The look of fear on their faces was nearly my undoing earlier. It’s weird to have a family meeting surrounded by mostly acquaintances.

“Which of you wants to tell me why you’re not at your father’s house?”

“Do we have to do this here?” Valentina whines. “In front of everyone.”

I look around the room.

“Did these men stop what they were doing and ride to your rescue?” I ask softly.

“Yes.” Valentina huffs.

“Then I believe they have a right to know why they had to drop everything they were doing and come save you when you’re supposed to be safe at home with your father.”

“He went to some political fundraiser,” Lucia says.

“He gave us an address for a party. It was supposed to be an under twenty-one party,” Francesca adds.

“We couldn’t find the address he gave us,” Lucia says.

“We circled the block a few times looking for the address when the lights started flashing on the car. Then it just went dead,” Francesca says.

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